What is the covid 19 test process?

[Babyfg]

I was just wondering how they actually test for covid 19. It's my understanding that they take a nasal and throat swab but what is the process afterwards once it gets to the lab?
Do they have to wait got them virus to grow a certain amount before it's detected?
I'm sure there's a good reason but what's the science behind it taking about three days?
And do we know the accuracy? Do you have to have a certain amount of it in your system before you get a positive like hcg in a pregnancy test?

I think they use PCR, which does take a certain amount of time, it was about a couple of hours when I worked in a biotech lab but that was ages ago and the technology will have improved. The results will need to be analysed so I can see why it takes a few days.

PCR = polymerase chain reaction

Take a look here - I've shared this with my A Level classes as we haven't covered PCR yet. Third infographic down.

www.compoundchem.com/

No, you don't 'grow' a virus, that applies to bacteria. They use an amplification process that increases the amount of viral RNA that is retrieved from the swabs. First it must be converted to DNA, then the amount must be increased, otherwise the amount would be too small to detect. So it undergoes what is called PCR, that takes a few hours, and then the result can be analysed to confirm whether there is SARS-Covid-19 there or not.

I've done PCR myself in a lab, it's a very clever process.

They've just developed a test in my state that thrives a result in 5 minutes. We hope to be making 50,000 a day.

Gives a result in 5 minutes.

Is that an antigen test @brightfiresout?

@DrDreReturns

"
We’re launching a molecular point-of-care test that delivers positive COVID-19 results in as little as 5 minutes and negative results in 13 minutes, providing information where it is needed most:
https://
abbo.tt/2wLanSF"

'The ID NOW test is small, lightweight—weighing only 6.6 pounds—and is portable; it’s about the size of a toaster, Abbott says. The test uses molecular technology, which is valued for its high degree of accuracy.'

@DrDreReturns so not sure really!

Thanks. It says it's a nucleic acid test so it must be detecting the RNA somehow.
I haven't worked in biotech for about a decade so my knowledge of the possible tests is out of date.

Thank you all. It's quite interesting @MaryBerrysBomberJacket the diagram with info on that link was really cLear. And it makes sense that getting the analysis done would take a few days when the resources are in higher demand

@brightfiresout that sounds like it would be amazing if the test could be done in five minutes. Lots of really clever people like you are working behind the scenes. If this virus has shown anything it shows how many cogs are turning on the machine that is this country that keep everything going. Much more than I ever realised. Really makes you realise how important things are.

@Babyfg oh I'm nothing to do with it! I'm useless lol!

Our state also had this in the press today which is interesting

www.facebook.com/42055130795/posts/10157101972400796/?d=n